The devastating loss of Ajana Isabella, a law student at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, has sparked anger and calls for justice from her fellow students.

Ajana, who struggled with diabetes and lived in Elmada Hostel, faced a medical crisis when she and her roommates lost the key to her vital insulin. In a desperate attempt to get the medicine, the students reached out to the hostel mistress, Madam Bright, asking for the spare key.

However, Madam Bright was said to turned them down, insisting on a huge fee of ₦120,000 — ₦40,000 from each student — claiming it was a hostel rule. Even though the students pleaded and tried to gather the money quickly, Madam Bright stuck to her decision.

As a result, Ajana’s health deteriorated and she was taken to the hospital, where she tragically passed away. This heartbreaking incident has caused outrage across the university, with many students calling the situation cruel and avoidable. It is unacceptable that a student’s life was lost because of what seems to be the indifference and greed of a university official.

The university administration needs to act quickly and thoroughly to investigate this incident, hold those responsible accountable, and put in place measures to stop such tragedies from happening again. The students’ demand for justice is not just reasonable but also crucial to prevent similar events in the future and to safeguard the well-being of everyone in the university community. The university must make the health and safety of its students a top priority, ensuring they have easy access to the medical care and resources they require.

This situation is more than just carelessness; it’s really cruel. A life was on the line, but we were asked to pay ₦120,000 before she could receive her medicine. “This tragic loss could have been prevented,” one student expressed, overwhelmed with sadness.

The university administration has confirmed that an investigation is in progress, but the whereabouts of the hostel mistress are still unknown.